Related Content

"The offenses are extremely serious. The weight of the evidence appears to be strong," said the judge.

In court papers, officers report an informant made at least three controlled buys from the older Allen since February.

Friday morning, police said they found more than $20,000 dollars in cash, a gun, more than 350 bags of heroin and multiple packages of crack and powdered cocaine in a Spring Street home, where the Allens were staying.

"(It was a ) substantial quantity," said Michael Schirling, chief of Burlington police. "Not the largest seizure we've had this year, but certainly not the smallest."

The renter of the Spring Street apartment, Maria Twitty, 41, was also arrested on a drug conspiracy charge.

Prosecutors told the court Twitty was hosting the Allens with full knowledge of their alleged drug activities. Twitty's defense lawyer said that was untrue.

The judge lowered her bail from $25,000 to $10,000 dollars.

According to police, because the alleged drug activity was taking place so close to an elementary school, the suspects could see a harsher prison sentence, if convicted. In the time being, prosecutors also requested -- and were granted -- the condition that none of the suspects be allowed within 300 feet of a school.

Officers hope their highly visible raid will deter other drug dealers in the city.

"We're hoping that this is going to send a clear and consistent message that if you are dealing drugs on the streets of Vermont that there is a swift and a certain accountability coming your way," said Schirling.

A fourth person was arrested on Friday and released. Burlington police said the investigation into that person's possible involvement is ongoing.